Val Gardena Holiday Guide: Best Hikes & Things to Do in the Dolomites
Val Gardena: The Complete Holiday Guide for Hikers & Nature Lovers
by Luca Mattiello – Volpi del Vajolet | Dolomites hiking blog
🚗 How to Get to Val Gardena
Val Gardena is located in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), northeastern Italy, just off the main Brenner motorway connecting Italy and Austria.
- Innsbruck Airport (INN) — ~1h 30min drive, excellent option for UK and northern Europe flights
- Verona Villafranca (VRN) — ~2h 30min drive, good for UK/German routes
- Bolzano Airport (BZO) — ~45min drive, small but convenient
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE) — ~3h drive
By car: Take the A22 Brennero motorway, exit at Chiusa/Klausen, then follow signs for Val Gardena / Grödental. The road climbs through a spectacular gorge.
By train: Train to Bolzano or Chiusa, then SAD bus to Ortisei/Selva. A car is strongly recommended once in the valley for trailhead access.
Best season: Late June to mid-October. September is outstanding — golden larches, zero crowds, perfect hiking temperatures.
Languages: South Tyrol is officially trilingual — Italian, German and Ladin. German is the dominant language here; English widely spoken in tourist areas.
🏨 Where to Stay in Val Gardena
| Village | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ortisei (St. Ulrich) | Largest, most lively | Families, first-time visitors, wood carving shops |
| Santa Cristina (St. Christina) | Quieter, central | Couples, relaxed pace, cable car to Col Raiser |
| Selva (Wolkenstein) | Most alpine feel | Serious hikers, Passo Gardena/Sella access |
👁️ Things to See & Do (Without Hiking)
🎿 Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
Europe's largest high-altitude Alpine meadow at around 1,800–2,300m. Even without hiking, the cable car from Ortisei or the road from Castelrotto (open to cars in the early morning only) takes you to one of the most photographed landscapes in the Alps — vast green (or snow-white) meadows with the Sassolungo and Sciliar massifs as backdrops. A summer visit is magical; it also works as a relaxed walk at any fitness level.
🏔 Seceda Viewpoint
Take the cable car from Ortisei up to the Seceda plateau (2,519m) for one of the most jaw-dropping viewpoints in the entire Dolomites. The jagged ridgeline of the Odle/Geisler group rises directly in front of you — a wall of vertical rock towers that is genuinely unlike anything else in the Alps. Even without hiking further, this view alone is worth the trip.
🪵 Wood Carving in Ortisei
Val Gardena has a centuries-old tradition of wood carving — the villages are dotted with workshops and galleries selling handmade figures, religious art and decorative pieces. Ortisei is the main centre. A fascinating and unique cultural experience alongside the mountain scenery.
🍷 Local Food & Mountain Cuisine
South Tyrolean cuisine blends Italian and Austrian influences. Must-try dishes: Schlutzkrapfen (spinach-filled pasta), Speck (local cured ham, much more complex than prosciutto), Knödel (bread dumplings in broth), Strudel and local Lagrein red wine. Mountain refuges serve excellent food at all price ranges.
🥾 The Best Hikes in Val Gardena
Here are my personal picks — all walked first-hand, organised by difficulty.
🟢 Easy Hikes
1. Rifugio Comici & Rifugio August – Sassolungo Approach
Take the cable car from Selva to Ciampinoi and walk towards the iconic Sassolungo group, stopping at the classic Rifugio Comici and then the smaller Rifugio Friedrich August, which sits at the foot of the rock walls. The views of the Sassolungo towers up close are extraordinary — one of the most dramatic mountain settings in Val Gardena. The trail is well-marked and not technically difficult.
2. Rifugio Molignon – Alpe di Siusi
A peaceful and very scenic walk across the Alpe di Siusi meadows to Rifugio Molignon (Saltria), with the Sassolungo and Sciliar massifs dominating the skyline throughout. This is one of the most relaxing hikes in the valley — wide, clear paths, no exposed sections, suitable for all ages. Perfect for a morning or afternoon with young children. The refuge terrace is a wonderful spot for lunch.
🟡 Medium Hikes
3. Anello del Seceda – Odle Ridge Loop
One of the most rewarding hikes in the valley. Take the cable car from Santa Cristina to Col Raiser, then follow the ridge towards the dramatic Seceda plateau with its iconic views of the Odle/Geisler towers. The loop returns through pasture paths and forest. The ridgeline section offers 360° views of the entire Dolomites — from the Marmolada to the Pale di San Martino. A highlight of any trip to Val Gardena.
🔴 Challenging Hikes
4. Rifugio Stevia – High Route above Selva
A demanding but spectacular hike starting directly from Selva up to Rifugio Stevia, perched at 2,740m on the slopes of the Gruppo del Sella. The ascent is steep and sustained, but the panoramic views from the refuge are extraordinary — taking in the Sassolungo, Sella, Marmolada and the entire Val Gardena below. A serious mountain hike for fit and experienced walkers.
5. Rifugio Puez & Vallunga – Sella Loop
A spectacular and demanding full-day loop from Passo Gardena up to the high plateau of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, passing Rifugio Puez (2,475m) and descending through the magnificent Vallunga — a long, flat-bottomed valley enclosed by sheer vertical walls, one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Dolomites. The hike requires good fitness and a full day, but is one of the great Dolomites walks.
📋 Quick Reference
| Hike | Difficulty | Time | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rifugio Comici & August | 🟢 Easy | 2.5h | ~300m |
| 2. Rifugio Molignon – Alpe di Siusi | 🟢 Easy | 2–3h | ~250m |
| 3. Anello del Seceda | 🟡 Medium | 4–5h | ~500m |
| 4. Rifugio Stevia | 🔴 Hard | 5–6h | ~800m |
| 5. Rifugio Puez & Vallunga | 🔴 Hard | 7–8h | ~900m |
💡 Practical Tips
- Cable cars: Most run from late June to mid-October. Book online in peak season (July–August).
- Sella Ronda: The famous circuit road linking Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo is one of the great drives in the Alps — doable in a half-day.
- Language tip: In South Tyrol, "Guten Tag" (German) goes down better than "Buongiorno" — locals appreciate the gesture.
- What to bring: Hiking boots, sun protection (altitude = stronger UV), warm layer for ridges even in summer, water.
- Currency: Euro (€). Cards accepted almost everywhere.
Written by Luca Mattiello based on personal hiking experience in Val Gardena. All trails described first-hand. For the Italian version, click here.
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